Round 3 wrap: Tigers break the drought!
Photo: Deb Novak, Grafton Daily Examiner
The Grafton Tigers hadn’t won a match in the Senior Grade since 18 July 2015, but their 644 day winning drought has been broken!
The Tigers’ last performance showed they were heading in the right direction and playing at home against a Port Macquarie Magpies side with a long road trip was always going to be a great chance to get onto the scoreboard. The first quarter was tough and willing, with no quarter given by either team. In previous seasons the Tigers have struggled with slow starts but this time they managed to hold a 3 goal lead at the first break.
The second and third quarters were very even affairs with honours pretty much shared. Grafton slightly shaded the Magpies to extend their lead to 25 points at three quarter time and were looking as though they were going to claim that elusive first win. However, the Tigers started to run out of steam in the last quarter and Port were finishing fast off the back of the youthful run and carry of Blake Nelson, Fraser Carroll, and Liam Dunlop. Port kicked 4 goals to 1 for the quarter to almost spoil the Tigers party, but Benny Holder’s fourth goal of the game proved to be the difference and got Grafton across the line by just 4 points.
For the Tigers, captain coach Luke Stanford was exceptional and got great support from new recruit Chris Curthoys. Benny Holder’s four goals were important, with Daniel Lang (3), Pat Curtain (2), Stanford (2), and Chris Leslie (1) also making important contributions to the scoreboard.
Port’s leading goalkicker was Sam Johnson with 4, whilst Liam Dunlop and Ben de Braun each added 2. For Port, inaccuracy in front of goal was a problem, having one more scoring shot than the Tigers but coming up short.
Tigers coach Luke Stanford said the overall feeling was relief. “Port came hard at us in the last quarter and almost got the win. That would have been heartbreaking so I’m really proud of the way the boys gutsed it out and held on. That’s two good performances in a row and we need to keep that momentum going over the next couple of weeks.”
Port coach Anthony Beasley was disappointed to lose, but saw plenty of positives. “Last season we came to Grafton in the second round and got a win that was all about effort and heart that set up our season. Whilst we didn’t win today, we saw plenty of those same qualities and we’ll use this as a launching pad to get our season heading in the right direction.”
Grafton Tigers 12.11.83 defeated Port Macquarie Magpies 11.13.79
Next week sees the first round in the C.ex Cross Conference format where North Coast teams take on their rivals from the Northern Rivers League. Grafton are at home to the Byron Magpies, Breakers head up the highway to take on the Ballina Bombers, Sawtell are away to the Lismore Swans, whilst the Tweed Coast Tigers make the long, long trip to Port.
